Pelosi Statement on Defense Authorization Amendment Protecting American Citizens from Indefinite Detention

Statement

Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi released the following statement today after the House voted down the Smith-Amash amendment which addresses concerns over the indefinite detention of American citizens. The amendment failed by a vote of 182-237:

"Last year, when President Obama signed the National Defense Authorization Act, he laid out his concerns regarding provisions that would have allowed for indefinite detention of American citizens and required that certain individuals captured even on US soil be held in military custody. The Smith-Amash amendment would have addressed these concerns, righting a wrong that flies in the face of our commitment to protect the American people and have the proper balance between security and liberty.

"I'm disappointed that Republicans in the House failed to join the vast majority of Democrats in supporting this amendment to realign detention policy with the U.S. Constitution."

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